In this photo from Dec. 3, the Musical Associates of CNY rehearse for its Dec. 14 holiday concert at the Civic Center. Sean O'Loughlin is the conductor. The rehearsal was held at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Syracuse. Stephen D. Cannerelli / The Post-Standard

The news comes at a critical time for Musical Associates: It plans to announce its new performing name and 2013 concert schedule at the “Holiday Symphonic Spectacular” concert Friday at Crouse Hinds Theater in the John H. Mulroy Civic Center.

A letter signed by Syracuse Opera board chair Andrew Hagen and General and Artistic Director Catherine Wolff was sent to Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney on Tuesday, notifying her of the opera company’s decision.

The letter states that Syracuse Opera has attempted to meet with Musical Associates board chairman Bob Daino and board member and musician Jon Garland since Oct. 20 to discuss issues and plan for future engagements.

“Syracuse Opera has acted in good faith throughout the past 22 months to support efforts of the professional musicians who once made up the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra,” the letter from Hagen and Wolff said. “We were very hopeful that a new orchestral organization would emerge that would satisfy our needs. We are sorry to say that is not the case.”

Garland said Musical Associates’ last meeting with Syracuse Opera was in November and his organization has been focused on planning its winter and spring 2013 season.

He said he understands Syracuse Opera is free to make other plans for its next production, “Sweeney Todd” in February. Garland said he believes “Sweeney Todd” requires a smaller orchestra of about a dozen musicians. Musical Associates has been performing with 60 musicians in recent concerts.

“We would look forward to working with the opera again at some point,” said Garland.

Marty Skahen, spokesman for Mahoney, said the county executive had no comment on the letter.

Onondaga County Legislature Chairman Ryan McMahon, a supporter of Musical Associates’ efforts to launch a new symphony, said he was not aware of the opera’s concerns but would look into them right away.

County taxpayers have a financial stake in the new symphony, the third music group that has attempted to organize since the SSO declared bankruptcy in 2010.

The Legislature gave Musical Associates $120,000 to help fund its performances this fall and has appropriated $300,000 for the group for 2013. Those funds come from the hotel occupancy tax, not property taxes.

Next year’s funding is being held in a contingency account. McMahon said it will be released — probably on a quarterly basis — only if lawmakers are satisfied that the group is performing as promised and is making progress attracting paying customers.

“If we’re not satisfied with the progress they’ve made, we may not give them all of the money,” he said.

The Syracuse Opera letter states that organization believed it was necessary to cut ties with Musical Associates “to protect our interests.“ Syracuse Opera had hired the Musical Associates of Central New York to perform for its production of “Tosca” in October. Musical Associates’ was paid $39,000 for the opera performances on Oct. 19 and 21.

Syracuse Opera has two more productions this season, “Sweeney Todd” in February and “The Marriage of Figaro” in April.

“Our primary concern is the artistic quality of Syracuse Opera productions,” Wolff said Wednesday. “And we are very interested in creating more opportunities for professional musicians in our community.

“We need to move forward to ensure our next production, ‘Sweeney Todd,’ which starts rehearsals in something like five weeks, and we still don’t have an orchestra.”

Wolff said Syracuse Opera is now working with a contractor to hire professional musicians, members of the local American Federation of Musicians, to play for “Sweeney Todd” in February.